GARFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A reputed Lucchese crime family associate has been charged in connection with a string of burglaries in New Jersey, according to a published report.

Gianni Iacovo, 37, was arrested early Wednesday, according to an NJ.com report. He was already a suspect in several break-ins when police saw him walking down Bergen Street in Garfield early Wednesday morning, the publication reported.

Police discovered that the door to the Golden Eagle Deli had been smashed open, the publication reported. But when officers tried to catch up to Iacovo and told him to stop, he walked right past the officers and hurled a claw hammer onto the grass, police told the publication.

Iacovo was arrested and accused of obstructing the burglary investigation. Police found a screwdriver, a flashlight and suspected cocaine on his person, the publication reported.

He was charged with seven counts of burglary and ordered held at the Bergen County Jail on $70,000 bond, the publication reported.

Iacovo is not a stranger to life on the wrong side of the law. He pleaded guilty in 2011 to promoting gambling and possession of gambling records in a case that involved 35 people, the publication reported.

The case stemmed from a 2007 probe called Operation Heat, and reputed Lucchese mob family leaders Joseph DiNapoli and Matthew Madonna were among the defendants, the publication reported. The operation took down a gambling ring that largely involved sports bets, according to the publication.

The Lucchese family is one of five of the traditional organized crime families in New York City. Its name comes from Tommy Lucchese (1899-1967), who ran the family from 1951 until his death and operated rackets in the Garment District and trucking industries.